Carton handling machine



Dec. 4, 1951 c. E. KERR ETAL CARTON HANDLING MACHINE 15 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed July 8, 194a m mu x n L n w H m-HRH! J @3 m u was mm. m =3. .umu Ya mm c n N a? a N9 02 wm aw l mm 2 o I -M ow F. [LL Sm I. mum vwm T OQNM w 00V mm? @Q ||.|||||ll PD nk I ii. a o X 0 rrw 09m Mme 3.

Dec. 4, 1951 c, K ETAL 2,577,529

CARTON HANDLING MACHINE Filed July 8, 1946 v 15 Sheets-Sheet 2 I W M irg '3 vl n J rw MW mums; 5; 1mm Rosco: nsunlu.

Dec. 4, 1951 c. E. KERR ETAL 2,

CARTON HANDLING MACHINE Filed July 8, 1946 l5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIIEI '7 A:JYWMM CHARLES E- KERR R0800: ILSHEIMER.

Dec. 4, 1951 c, KERR HAL 2,577,529

CARTON HANDLING MACHINE Filed July 8, 1946 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 T'IE 1EIFIE 11 game/Moo CHARLES E. KERR HD5005 ELSI'IEIMER.

Dec. 4, 1951 c. E. KERR ETAL 2,577,529

CARTON HANDLING MACHINE Filed July 8, 1946 15 Sheets-Sheet 6 IIIIIK'I'EIEI H CHARLES E. KERR 03005 EL SHEIMER.

wa MW Dec. 4, 1951 c E, KERR EAL 2,577,529

CARTON HANDLING MACHINE Filed July 8, 1946 15 Sheets-Sheet 7 TIE -E2 FIE2 :El

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l 705 g 70a 5 m LII i. ioJgm. m. 7%? I n GHARLESE. KERR z #0800: nsnzmm.

Dec. 4, 1951 KERR HAL 2,577,529

CARTON HANDLING MACHINE Filed July 8, 1946 15 Sheets-Sheet 8 GHANLESE'.KER/P I708 05 ELSIIEIMER.

Dec. 4, 1951 c. E. KERR ETAL CARTON HANDLING MACHINE,

l5 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed July 8, 1946 PG OGN A Nam. r QN M00 non 6mm 5bmm mvm Nflm hm \km QMM mm W EX 3 in 5 own m mwn so gm a grvvwvto'nUHJQRLES E. KERR R0500! ELs/YE/HER.

Dec. 4, 1951 C. E. KERR EI'AL CARTON HANDLING MACHINE l5 Sheets-Sheet 13Filed July 8. 1946 n S. I smm m 3 5 5 5 @H. 1 n 3 m M M 5 5 5 u a a (5 55 Dec. 4, 1951 c. E. KERR :rm.

CARTON HANDLING MACHINE l5 Sheets-Sheet 14 Filed July 8. 1946 CHARLES E.KERR R0300! ELSIIEMIER.

Dec. 4, 1951 c. E. KERR EFAL CARTON HANDLING MACHINE 15 Sheets-Sheet 15Filed July 8, 1946 we .1. Ef

CHARLES E. KERR R0800! ELSHEIMER.

' Patented Dec. 4, 1951 CARTON HANDLING MACHINE Charles E. Kerr, SanJose, Calif., and Roscoe Elsheimer, Hoopeston, Ill., assignors to FoodMachinery and Chemical Corporation, a corporation of DelawareApplication July 8, 1946, Serial No. 681,980 17 Claims. (01. 936) Thepresent invention appertains to a method and apparatus for handlingcartons used for packaging merchandise such as food products or thelike.

More particularly the present invention relates to a method andapparatus for handling and filling cartons having a formed and securedbody portion folded and collapsed in flattened condition and a collapsedcover hinged thereon and overlying the same.

One object of the present invention is to provide a method of forming,filling, and closing collapsed cartons While the cartons are in acontinuous uninterrupted flow.

Another object is to provide a method of opening and setting upcollapsed cartons while the cartons are in a continuous flow.

Another object is to provide a method of opening up the collapsedflanges of the covers of the cartons and folding the covers over thecartons to thereby close the same while the cartons are in a continuousflow.

Another object is to provide a machine for handling collapsible cartonsand for forming, filling, and closing the cartons while the same are ina continuous and uninterrupted flow.

Another object is to provide a machine for advancing collapsed one piececartons in a continuous and uninterrupted flow past a carton opening,filling, closing, and discharge station for turning back the cover ofthe cartons, for opening and erecting the body of the cartons, forfilling the cartons, for erecting the flanges of the cover of thecartons, for closing the cover, and for pressing the filled and closedcartons into shape for subsequent wrapping or labeling thereof.

Another object is to provide a machine for feeding collapsed cartons ina continuous flow from a supply magazine to a place of use and foropening and blocking the cartons during uninterrupted conveyancethereof.

Another object is to provide a machine for conveying collapsed cartonsprovided with hinged covers overlying their body portions in acontinuous flow along a predetermined path and for turning back thecovers to expose the body portions of the cartons.

Another object is to provide a machine for erecting the collapsed wallsof the body portion of the cartons to open and set u the cartons forsubsequent filling thereof.

Another object is to provide a machine for conveying collapsed cartonshaving hinged covers overlying their body portions in a single file andin spaced relation along a predetermined path, for elevating and turningback the covers to expose the folded and collapsed body portions of thecarton and for erecting the walls of the collapsed body portions to openand set up the same for subsequent filling thereof.

Another object is to provide a machine for closing the covers of thecartons after the cartons have been filled with merchandise and whilethe same are conveyed in a continuous and uninterrupted flow.

Another object is to provide a machine for closing the covers of cartonsprovided with collapsed flanges on their sides and for opening up anderecting said flanges prior to the closing of the covers.

Another object is to provide a machine for handling collapsed cartonsand for opening, filling, and closing the same which is fully automatic,continuous in operation, and of simple and inexpensive construction.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following description and drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the carton handling machine of the presentinvention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the front end of the machine illustrating thecarton magazine and the carton opening unit, certain parts being brokenaway while others are shown in section.

' Fig. 3 is a side view of Fig, 2 taken along line 3-3 thereof.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal section of a portion of Fig. 2 takenalong line 44 thereof.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section of Fig. 4 taken along line 55 thereof,certain portions being broken away.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged section of a portion of Fig. 2 taken along line 66thereof.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical cross section of Fig. 3 taken along lines1l thereof, certain parts being omitted.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged prospective view of a carton body opening fingerand certain parts operacarton .body opening finger illustrated in Fig.8.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged section of Fig. 5 taken along line I l-l Ithereof.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged perspective View of a portion of the conveyorchain and one of the carton pusher members associated therewith.

Figs. 13 to 17, inclusive, are diagrammatic views of a carton and thecarton body opening fingers of the machine illustratin the operation ofthe opening fingers and showing in successive steps the opening of thebody portion of a collapsed carton thereby.

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of'a collapsed and flattened cartonadapted to be handled by the machine of the present invention.

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the carton illustrated in Fig. 18showing the cover of'the'carton elevated and turned back to expose thecollapsed body portion of the carton.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the cartonshown in Figs. 13 and 19illustrating the "b'ody'portion' of the carton in erected and openposition ready for filling thereof.

Fig. 21 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the carton opening unitand the carton filling unit.

Fig.' 22 is anenlarged perspective view of the no carton no fill controlmechanism, certain parts being broken away while others 'aresliown insection.

Fig. 23 is an enlarged side elevation of the no carton n fill controlmechanism with the cover thereof removed and a portion of the supportingbracket broken away.

Fig. 24 is a section to a portion of the filling unit and the cartonopening unit taken along line 24-24 of Fig. 1. V

Fig. 24A is a somewhat diagrammatic horizontalsectionat a reduced scaleof the filling unit of the machine; the line along which this section istaken is partially'indicated by line 24A-24A in Fig. 24.

Fig. 25 is 'a section of a portion of the carton filling unit shown in'Fig. 1 taken along line 25-25 thereof.

Fig; 26 is a plan view of a portion of the carton feed turret and aportion of the turret of the filling unit illustrating the feeding ofthe cartons into the filling unit, certain portions of the turret of thefilling unitbeing broken away while others are shown in section.

Fig. 27 is a section of'a portion of Fig. 25 taken along line 21-21thereof.

Fig; '28 is a plan view of the carton closing and the carton dischargeunit of the machine, 'a portion thereof being broken away to reduce thelength of the same.

Fig. 29 is a side view of the carton closing and discharge unitillustrated in Fig. 28, certain portions being omitted.

Fig. 30 is a longitudinal section of a portion of Fig. 28 taken alongline 38-30 thereof.

Fig. 31 is a transverse section of Fig. 28 taken along line 3I-3lthereof. I

Fig. 32 is a horizontal section of the front end of the carton closingunit taken along line 32-32 of Fig. 29.

Fig. 33 is a longitudinal section through a portion of Fig. 28 takenalong line 33-33 thereof.

Fig. 34 is a horizontal section of a portion of Fig. 29 taken along line34-34 thereof, certain parts being shown in elevation.

Fig. 35 is a transverse section of Fig. 29 taken along line 35-35thereof.

Fig. 36 is a perspective view of the universal mounting of one of theturret arms of the carton closing unit of the machine, certain partsbeing broken away while others are shown in section.

Fig. 3'7 is a perspective view of the cover closing mechanism of themachine.

Fig. 38 is a horizontal section through the carton discharge unit or themachine taken along line 38-38 of Fig. 30.

Fig. 39 is a transverse section of the carton discharge unit taken alongline 39-39 of Fig. 30.

Fig. 40 is a perspective view of the carton prior to closing thereofshowing the flanges of the cover in folded and flattened condition andoverlying the underside of the cover of the carton.

, Fig. 41 is a perspective view of the carton illustrated in Fig. 40 butshowing the flanges of the cover of-the carton in opened or erectedposition.

Fig.42shows a section of the carton shown in Fig. il'taken along line42-42 thereof with the 'cover disposed in closed position.

Fi"gs.43'to 46,'inclusive, are diagrammatic plan views of a portion ofthe conveyor mechanism of the closing unit of the machine and the cartonturning mechanism associated therewith and illustrating in successivesteps the turning of a filled car ton thereby.

Figs. 47 to 50, inclusive, are perspective views of portions of theconveyor mechanism, the flap opening turrets, and other parts of theclosing unit associated therewith showing in successive steps theadvancement of a filled carton past the turrets and the opening of theflaps of the cover of the carton thereby, portions of the cartondischarge unit are illustrated inconnection with Figs. 49 and 50.

Fig. 51 is a. side elevation of a portion of the cover closing unit anda portion of the carton discharge unit showing a carton in differentpositions of advancement relative thereto and illustrating the manner inwhich the covers of the carton are closed thereby, certain portions 01'Fig. 51 have been broken away.

Fig. 52 is a diagram of the entire electric contiOl and power supplycircuit of the machine.

"In general, the carton handling machine of the present invention(Fig. 1) comprises a magazine A, a carton opening unit B, a cartonfilling unit C, a carton closing unit D, a carton discharge unit E, andano carton-no fill control mechanism G.

In'the'operation of the machine the folded and collapsed cartons-areplaced into the magazine A and are conveyed therefrom by the cartonopening unit B to the filling unit C. During the conveyanceof thecartons from the magazine A to the filling unit C, the cover of thecartons is turnedback and the body portion of the cartons is opened andset up for subsequent filling thereof. The opened'cartons'are thereuponadvanced through the filling unit C,'are 'filled'with merchandise, anddelivered to the carton closing unit D, which opens and erects theflanges of the cover of the cartons, closes the cover of the cartons,and delivers the close'dand filled cartons to the discharge unit EWliichpresses the filled and closed cartons into shape and discharges the samefrom the machine. The" cartons are conveyed in continuous flow throughthe machine by appropriate conveyor mechanism associated with thevarious units and the opening, filling, and closing operations areperformed during the continuous and uninterrupted travel of the cartonsthrough the machine.

The no carton-no fill mechanism G associated with the machine stops theoperation thereof 'in case the magazine should run empty so that theoperation of the filling unit C is not continued when there are nocartonssupplied to receive the charges of material therefrom.

With the foregoing description in mind, the

construction and operation: of the machine will now be specificallydescribed.

The carton opening unit-B of the machine-of thepresent inventioncomprises aconveyor'lto which the carton supply magazine Ais secured, a

cover or lid turning and elevatingmechanism 2, and a carton body openingmechanism'3.

The folded'and collapsedcartons to be handled by the machine are'placedlids uppermost in a vertical stack into the carton supply magazine Afrom Which they areseparately fed 'in a con-- tinuous fiow and'in spacedrelation pastthe-lid or cover elevating and turning meohanismi andthebody opening mechanism 3 by theconveyor l.

During the advancement ofthe collapsed cartons toward and past the lidturning-mechanism 2 {the lids or covers of the 'oartons are-elevated and-turned-back to expose-the collapsed body portions of the cartons which-*are subsequently opened andset upby the carton bodyopening mechanism 3so that the cartonsleaving the earton'body openingmechanismare ready-toreceive -the-products or articles to-be packedtherein as they aresubsequently advanced through the 'filling unit C.

To-facilitate a clear understandingof the-construction and operation ofthe-- present invention a brief description of the collapsed typeofcarton for which the machine is'especially adapted is firstgiven'herein;

This carton (Figs.'18,'19,-and is-manuiactured as a completely formedbox :preferably made fromcard'board or similar material which has beenfolded, collapsed, andflattened for shipping and handlingpurposes. ,Inopening the carton to set the same up forfilling thereof, suchoperations as :forming'ithe bottom 'by gluing or tucking-in of'locking'orclosureflaps or tabs are not necessary since the body portionand lid or cover of the carton are completely formed,'assembled, andglued so that it is merely amatter of opening and setting up thegcarton'to prepare the same for subsequent filling thereof.

The carton FiFig. 20, is preferablymadecfrom a single blank of stockmaterial which is creased, bent, and glued to form arectangular'box-which ccmprises'a body portion tand'a'cover' 'i hinged thereon. Thebody portion 5 includes 'a rectangular bottom 8, side walls!) "and" m,and end walls H and I2, while the cover 'orlid '7 hinged to the marginaledge of the side wall 9includesja lid portion I3 provided with end flapsI4 'and"-|5 and a side flap i6 forminga continuousflangell.

The side wall ll] of the carton is provided with tabs 18 and |9bentat'right-angles thereto-and glued or otherwise'firmly secured to the endwalls H and 12, respectively, while the "end walls "I otherwise firmlysecured'to'the side 'fiapl-fi'of the A locking'ta'bz l formed'asanintegral cover 1. part of the side wall I0 and projecting outwardly anddownwardly from the upper marginal edge thereof is provided to catchbehind the straight "edges and 26 of the tabs 22 and 23when-the cover isclosed withthe flange H, i. ve., the flaps I4, 15, and i5 'overlyingtheend walls Hand l2 and the side wall It), respectively,'of ,the ,bodyportion of the carton so that the cover'l is'firmly held inclosed'position.

To permit easy shipment" and-handling-'of-the cartons andtoconservexasmuch shipping space as possible, the side and end:walls: of1 body portion 6 and the continuous flange of the cover I of thecarton-F are collapsedwithin the confines of the -bottomand-cover,respectively, i. e., are

folded along lines-21 to 3| and collapsed in the manner as clearlyillustrated in Fig. 19. The cover'l is thereupon swung over thebody'portion in the direction of "arrow 32 (Fig. 19) :and the entirecarton is flattened, as shown in Fig. 18.

Preferably the tabs Ifl and I9-are only gluedto "the end walls I and I2at the portion between the fold lines' ZB and '29 and the sidewall||l-so that the inner corners of the tabs are free tofold down flat, asshown in Fig. 19. In the collapsed and flattened condition "the cartonsare packed in stacks in shipping boxesin -whichtheyaare shipped anddistributed for-use.

M agazinaand, carton opening .um't

Referring now-"more specifically to the construction of the cartonopening unit B and the magazine A associated therewith, it should benoted that the conveyor previously referredto herein (Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5,and 6), comprises a frame structure 40 which includes a pair'of Uchannels 4| and 42 secured to each other by a plurality of transversebraces 43 (Figs. 2, 4, and 5). The U channels 4| and 42 are-so disposedwithrespect to each other as to iorm'a hollow beam structure 45supported in'substantial'ly horizontal position at desired height bymeans ofasupporting column 4? partially shown in Fig. 3 which is securedto the lower flanges 48 and 49 of the channels 4| and 42 by means of aU-shaped supporting bracket- 50 (Figs. 3 and 5) adjacent thefmnt'end 5|of the beam structure 46. "Secured to web portions 52 and 53 of the Uchannels 4| and42 by means of flanges .54 and cap screws 55 are bearings56 and 51 (Figs. '2, '3, and 7) within which a shaft 58 is rotatablymounted and extends transversely of the beam structure 46 throughaligned openings 59 and .60 in the web portions 52 and. 53 (Fig. 7).Retaining collars 6| and 62 secured by set screws'to the shaft 58 areprovided to retain the shaft 58 in proper position with respect to thebeam structure 46. Fixed to the shaft 58 intermediate the web portions52 and 53 of .the U channels 4| and 42.by means of a set screwisasprocket 63 (Fig.

Secured to the rear end'55 of thebeam structure 45 is an U-shapedbracket 66 by means of which the conveyor is removably secured to theframe structure of the inlet conveyor 6? (Figs. 1 and 21) of the fillingunit C in the manner described later on. If it is desired "to use thecarton opening unit B'byitself for openingcartons to be subsequently,manually filled and closed, the supporting bracketfifi may be securedto an auxiliary support, not shown, for supporting the rear end oftheopeningunit B. The supporting bracket is provided with bearings l5and 16 (Fig. 2) within which a shaft 7'! is "rotatably received. Thisshaft extends through aligned openings in the-web portions EZ-and 53 andis retained against'lateral'movement within the bearings 15 and lfibymeans of a retainin collar 89 and the hub portion 83- of the sprocket 84secured to the shaft H for rotation therewith.

Fixed to the shaft '77 by means of'a set screw 85 is a sprocket 85 whichis disposed intermediate the bearings 15 and i6. Trained aroundsprockets 83 and-'86 is-an endless conveyor chain 8? (Figs. 2 and4)--provided'with=a plurality of carton pusher members-88 (Fig. -1=2) ofL-shaped construction. These pusher members 88 are secured to the chain81 at one side thereof by means of mounting links 89 forming a part ofthe chain 81. The pusher members are arranged in spaced relation and aredisposed at equal distances from each other along the conveyor chain 81.The upper run 81a of the conveyor chain 07 overlies and is supported bya chain guide plate 90 (Figs. 4 and 5) welded to the braces 43 andextending parallel with the beam structure 46 between sprockets 63 and85.

The hub portion 83 of the sprocket 84, previously referred to herein, isfixed to shaft 11 (Figs. 2 and 3) by means of a key 92 and is providedwith a flange 93 having arcuate slots 94' through which cap screws 95extend which are threadedly secured to the body portion 96 of thesprocket which is rotatable relative to the hub portion 83 but isnormally fixed thereto for rotation therewith when the cap screws 95 aretightened to firmly secure the body portion 90 of the sprocket 8-4 tothe flange 93 of the hub 83. The adjustability of the sprocket 84relative to the flange 93 enables rotative adjustment of the sprocketwith respect to the shaft I! so as to permit adjustment of the drivemechanism of the carton opening unit B for timed operation with theremaining units of the machine.

Secured to the top of the beam structure 45 (Figs. 2 and 5) is aconveyor table IOI which comprises angle members I02 and I03 and a widetable plate I04 provided with a side wall I05. The angle members I02'andI03 and table plate I50 are secured to the upper flanges 48a and 49a ofthe U channels 4| and 42, respectively, by means of countersunk screwsI06. The angle members I03 and the table plate I04 which forms the frontend continuation thereof are disposed parallel to the angle member I02and are spaced therefrom so as to permit travel of the pusher members 88of the conveyor chain 81 therebe tween. These pusher members 88 extendslightly above the surface of the conveyor table formed by the plate I04and the horizontal leg portions I? and I08 of the angle members I02 andI03 so as to engage the cartons and to advance the same from thereceiving end I09 of the conveyor to the rear end H0 thereof in themanner as will be more specifically explained later on.

The table plate I04 provides in conjunction with the leg portion I01 ofthe angle I02 a wide table surface IOIa at the receiving end of theconveyor I for the reception of the collapsed cartons and this tablesurface gradually narrows to a table surface IOIb of smaller widthbetween the upright legs III and H2 of the angle members I02 and I03.The legs III and H2 of the angle members I02 and I03, respectively, andthe side wall I05 of the plate I04 are disposed in a vertical positionand form guide walls for retaining the cartons in proper position of thetable IOI during their conveyance along the same. The guide wall I05 isbent, as shown at H3, and is joined with the guide wall II2 to form acontinuous guide wall therewith.

Disposed above and secured to the receiving end I09 of the conveyor Iabove the table IOI is the carton supply magazine A (Figs. 2, 3, 4, and7) which comprises a vertically extending cage structure II4 ofrectangular configuration in cross section slightly larger than the sizeof a collapsed carton. This cage structure includes a plurality ofvertically disposed spaced guides II5 secured at their lower ends to arectangular frame H6 supported upon the guide walls III '8 and I05 ofthe conveyor table IOI. The frame H6 is provided with straps II! andH111 rigidly secured thereto in any convenient manner. The free end ofthe strap III (Fig. 3) is secured by means of cap screws II8 to asupporting bracket II9 firmly attached to the web portion 53 of the Uchannel 42 while the free end of the strap Illa is secured by cap screwsII8a (only one of which is shown in Fig. 2) to the web portion 52 of theU channel 4| so that the entire magazine A is firmly held in fixedposition above the receiving end I09 of the conveyor I and in spacedrelation to the surface of the conveyor table IN.

The magazine A may be of any desired height and is preferably providedat its upper end with a rectangular frame (not shown) which is similarto the frame H6, to which the upper ends of the guides H5 are attachedso as to hold the same in proper position.

Disposed below the magazine A and secured to the surface of the conveyortable IDIa by countersunk screws I20 (Fig. 2) are spacing plates I2I andI22 arranged in spaced relation with respect to each other to providepassage of the pusher members 88 of the conveyor chain 81 therebetween.These plates form the bottom of the magazine and support the stack ofcollapsed cartons therein and. their thickness is such that only thelowermost collapsed carton in the magazine A is engaged and shifted fromthe magazine by the pusher members 88 upon operation of the chain 87 sothat the cartons are separately discharged from the magazine and areadvanced in spaced relation along the conveyor table IOI.

Secured to the rear portion I23 of the magazine frame II6 (Figs. 2, 3,4, and 7) is a control gate structure I24 which comprises a gate I25secured to a bracket I26 fastened to the frame portion I23 by means ofcap screws I21. The bracket I 26 is provided with a vertically disposedelongated opening I28 and extending through the same is a cap screw I 29threadedly secured to the gate I25. When the cap screw is tightened, thegate I25 is firmly held in any desired position of adjustment on thebracket I26. The position of the gate I25 with respect to the spacingplates I2I and I22 is adjusted by loosening the cap screw I29 and byshifting the same up 01 down within the slot I28 whereby the elevationof the gate I25 is accordingly varied so as to increase or decrease thesize of the discharge opening I30 formed between the lower edge of thegate I25 and the spacing plates I2! and I22. The desired adjustment ofthe guide plate I25 is thereupon maintained by tightening the cap screwI29 whereby the gate is firmly locked in position. The arrangement ofthe magazine A with respect to the lid turning mechanism 2 and the bodyopening mechanism 3 is such that the cartons may be stacked in theircollapsed form, as shown in Fig. 18, in the magazine with their lidsuppermost and the outer front edges I3a of the lids extending parallelwith and adjacent to the side I IBa of the magazine which extendsimmediately above and parallel with the guide wall I05 of the conveyortable II.

Secured to the rear portion I23 of the magazine frame IIB by means of acap screw I3I and a clamping plate I32 (Figs. 2 and 4) is a leaf springI33 which extends downwardly from the frame IIG toward the conveyortable IN and is bent at substantially right angles so that its lowerportion I34 is disposed substantially parallel to the conveyor table andin closely spaced relation therewith. The spacing of the lower portionI34 23277;5293 9 1110': of the leaf'springg-I33 withrespect'to'theconveyor, therod Ifiilby means'of a set-screw- I Itwhileza: tableis such that the free endof-the-spring will plurality ofopenings I'll are provided in the. overlie and exert aslightpressureupon theslde collar to permit rotative adjustment-of the same wall 9 ofthe collapsed cartonas the latter is by means of a-wrench after theset'screw-I'IB' discharged fromthe magazine A- andadvanced hasbeen-loosened so that the tension of the along the'conveyortable IUI.Theiunctionqof sprin I m y be varied'as described. While this springisto holdathe body-portion of the the employment of spring IIS'maybedesirable, carton in collapsed condition during its discharge the sameis not necessary and may beomitted.

from the magazine and a part of the lid turning In such case, the collarI'Mis placed directly operation as willbemore specifically describedadjacent the hub portion I58 and merely funclater herein. tions as aretaining collar for the finger I55:

Secured to-the guidev wall ll2ladjacent-the The-carton body openingfinger I 5'I (Figs. 2, angularly disposed guide wall-portion. H3 is a-4, 6, n -9) mp-ri n liii provided w h carton hold down guide: I36;(Figs. 2, Land. 5) a hook portion i'i9- at its free end for engagingwhile a similar hold down-guide 13 is attached the end: wall I2 ofthecartons in the manner to the guide wall II I.- Both hold down guidesare. later described herein. This .finger is further disposed above theconveyor :table in such spaced provided with-.a hub portion 'I8Il fixedby "means relation relative thereto thatv they wil1 overlie-and of a setscrew I8! "toa finger actuating shaft I82 engage the upper surface ofthe sidewalls IQ and 9 rotatably mounted within a bearing- I83---of theof the .collapsed cartons so :-as to hold .the body bracket Structure162;"I11'8Vi01lS1ymentioned:

of the cartons in collapsed-condition on the-con- Fixedto the shaft I59adjacent the bearing III veyor table IllI during the lidturning-operation. bymeans'of a-set'iscrew I85 is asprocket I8i,'

Thefront ends of the holddown guides. I36 and while fixed to .the shaftI82adjacent-thebearing: I31 are tapered, as showneat l 36aandl3'ia.(Figs... I83 by meansof a set screw I89 is a sprocket I89.-

2. and 4) so as to facilitate the lntroductionof' ed' the p k ts 8 andI89-and the collapsed carton body between the-guides. a drive sprocketIdea fixed to a shaft ISI-(FigS; 2,

and'the conveyor table. 1M. 3, and 5) rotatably mounted in the bearingpor- Secured to the guide. wall .I I2 .and the guide tion I92 ofithebracket structure I82 is an endless wall portion H3 of the conveyortablelfll .intere drive chain I93. The shaft I9I is furtherpromediatewthe magazine Aeandthebarton body- Vided With a Sprocket 9 gs.5 andill) which.

opening. m h i 3 by. ean of; supporting. is fixed thereto for rotationtherewith and around brackets I38 and I39 (Figs...2-, 3,.and.5) is..-.the Which the conveyor chain'ii'l (F g. 4) is trained cover orlid-elevating andeturning mechanism 2. so t at up n p a n f' conveyor han 81 which comprises aturning.orguide.rod I40 see the shaft IM and thesprocket I93, are driven in curedat its front .endJ lI by weldingtothecon- 3,5 the direction ofarrow'I95 (Figs. 3 and .4) and veyor table II.The.front..portion..I43 otthe fi c p nbf' th hain. I93 and .simulrod I40(Figs. 2 and. 5).-is .gradually upwardly. taneous rotation of thesprocket wheels I81 and inclined and-extends diagonally of .theconveyorI89 therewith.

table. The rear portionJE of,.the.rod I40 is- Adjust-ably securedjtoan;ear I98 (Figs. 3, 5,, curved. downwardly (Figs.- 2. and I 3).towarduoand .11) extendingfrom and iormingan integral, and transverselyof the-table IOI and terminates p r Of the bearing. portion I32 is alink !99 pmin a substantially horizontallydisposed portion d d W anidle! Sprocket 9 rotatably I46 extending parallel to the guide wall.I Iland mounted .thereonby means of a pivot pinjllll. in spaced relationabove and exterior of. the The linkl fiis provided witha slot292through. same. which a. cap screw 203'threadedly. secured. tothe Thebody opening..,mechanism 3,.previously ear I38 extends whiledisposedintermediate the referred to, comprises a carton body openinghead of thecap screw 293 andthe link. I99 is a finger I and caltombodyope ing finger I51; Washer 294 so that when the cap screw istight-(Figscz, 4, and 6). The finger I55 is disposed in ened the link. 539and. the idler sprocketifit are front of the finger. I51 and both arecentrally. 5Q firmly held in position. This slot and cap screw arrangedbetween the guide walls III and. H2 arrangement, however, permitsadjustment. of

above the conveyor I. Thefinger. I55. (Fig. .8). the sprocket 299relative .to the conveyor chain 3'! comp-risesan arm I58 provided with acarton for taking 1 p any Slack inihe eyorchaintl. engaging hook I56afor engagingthe end wall II The bracket structure I52 (Figs. 2, 5,. 6,and 11) of the cartonsand a hub portion. I59 rotatably 55 .is' furtherprovidedwithan ear 265 provided with. mountedupon a finger supporting,rod I50 fixed an elongated slot 297 within which a pivot pin 298 1within a socket portion .I 5| of a bracket structure is adjustablymounted bymeans of a washer 269 I62 secured tothe web 53 of theU..channel 12, and a nut2Idthreadedlysecured to one endof.

previously referred to, by means of screws IE3 the .pivot .pin. Theother end ofthe pivot pinis (Fig.7 5) and held in spaced relation to theweb ;,provided with a head 2.I I.and rotatably,.disposed,. 53 by bossesI54. The carton body opening finger upon the pivot pin .258.intermediate the. head [ii I I55 is further provided with a lateralextension and-the ear 2.06 is an idler. sprocket .2I2 which. I55 on thefree end of which a roller I66 is rotatintermeshes with the drive. chainI93. and is ably mounted. This roller'is adapted to engage adaptedto beadjusted relative thereto insuch a the cam surface I61 of'a rotary can'iI58(Figs. 2, 5 .manneras to-take .up. the .slackof ..the-ochain..in 8,and'lO) fixed to a shaft I69 by means of a themanner as will be obvious,.to those skilled set screw I10. The-shaft I59 isrotatably mountin the.art... ed withinaa bearing I'll-forming: a part of'the'Disposedaboveand.parallel-,totheconveyor. bracket structure I62. tableI5! below the shaft I 82 (Figs.-2 ande5.) is- Disposed adjacent thehub'portion I59 of the. yo a cover.or .ho1d .down.plate;2I5ehaving.a-cut out arm I58'ris a tortion' spring H3,- one end'of which portion ,2I6. of..sufl1cient length to permit move is secured to acollar.I14-fixed--tothe rod Iiiflment.OLthe cartonhodyw.opening-fingersl5fizandt while the other end thereof-is securedfto the arm I51therethrough... The. hold down platec2l5 is: [581031 introducingthe-.same-into an opening I 85: supp,0rted.- .byla verticallydisposed.-portion-...2-I'I-- therein. The collar II l is-preferablysecuredtoe thereotsecuredlby-screws 218.130.:11113.webfign-ofy

